Can end packaging apparatus



Aug. 16, 1966 c. T. WALTER CAN END PACKAGING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 28, 1963 INVENTOR Charles 7. wall'er BY 7 44414 M Y5 ATTORNEYS Aug. 16, 1966 c. T. WALTER CAN END PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed March 28,

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Charles 7'. (4/0! fer Aug. 16, 1966 c. T. WALTER 3,266,215

CAN END PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 8":EZJQEQLZLZlL-IEZ E E 86 k l'" as 87 I: 612.

h INVENTOR Charles 7. Ma lrer TORN EYS 6, 1966 c. T, WALTER CAN END PACKAGING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 28, 1965 INVENTOR. Char/cs 71 Walter ATTOEH EYS United States Patent 3,266,215 CAN END PACKAGING APPARATUS Charles T. Walter, Lamont, 11]., assignor to @outinental Can Company, lino, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 268,633 12 Claims. (Cl. 53--177) This invention relates to a novel system for packaging can ends, and in particular, to a novel flexible can end package formed from a flexible strip of paper stock which is coiled upon and secured to a support member to form a coiled can end package.

At the present time can ends are packaged in paper bags of a length of about two to three feet. As the can ends come out of a sealing compound applying machine, they are formed into a stack at about a rate of one inch per second. When the stack of can ends has a length of about two to three feet, an operator removes a predetermined length of the can ends from the stack. The removed can ends are then placed in a jig for insertion into a bag, after which the bag is sealed.

The bags of can ends are placed into a large carton for shipment to a customers plant. At the customers plant the carton is placed close to a can end seaming machine for unloading the individual bags of can ends into a can end feed chute of the seaming machine. Since a can end seaming machine will use up can ends at a rate of about one inch per second, it will be appreciated that the feeding of can ends is a laborious operation.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel can end packaging system which substantially eliminates the labor in a can plant of loading a plurality of can ends into individual paper bags, and loading the individual paper bags into cartons.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel can end packaging system which substantially eliminates the labor involved at a customers plant in unloading a plurality of individual bags of can ends from a carton and subsequently unloading the can ends from the individual paper bags.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for packaging a plurality of can ends by transporting a plurality of can ends in face to-face relationship on a conveyor belt, feeding a strip of flexible material between the plurality of can ends and the conveyor belt, Wrapping the flexible strip of material about the plurality of can ends to form a tubular encasement thereabout and guidably coiling the flexible can end package.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for packaging can ends constructed in accordance with the above object and in addition, providing a plurality of forming means adjacent the conveyor belt and spaced therealong for overlapping longitudinal edges of the flexible strip of material, at least one of the longitudinal edges of the flexible strip of material being provided with an adhesive coating and subsequently sealing the overlapped longitudinal edges by a sealing roll overlying the conveyor belt between a last of the plurality of forming means and the end of the conveyor belt.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for packaging can ends of the type above described wherein a support roll is positioned at the end of the conveyor belt for guiding the encased can ends away from the conveyor belt without rupturing the flexible strip of material.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel can end package formed from a flexible strip of paper stock material having overlapped longitudinal edges adhesively secured together and opposite end portions of the flexible tubular strip of paper stock material being Patented August l6, 1966 gathered and secured, whereby the flexible tubular package can be deformed or bent without rupture of the strip of paper stock material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel package of coiled can ends including a circular pallet having an upper support member with a central circular opening therein, a coiled tubular member formed from flexible material and encasing a plurality of can ends in face-to-face relationship supported upon the upper support member between a peripheral edge thereof and the central circular opening, a cylindrical member telescopically surrounding the coiled tubular member, a plurality of protecting pieces overlying portions of the coiled member and a plurality of straps securing the coiled member upon the pallet.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel package of coiled can ends comprising a support member, a coiled tubular flexible member encasing a plurality of can ends in face-to-face relationship resting upon the support member, and particularly characterized in that the minimum coil diameter of the tubular flexible member is proportional to the diameter of the can ends encased by the tubular flexible member.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a novel package of coiled can ends wherein a circular sup port member is provided with an upstanding frusto-conical member, a flexible tubular member encasing a plurality of can ends in face-to-face relationship coiled about the frusto-conical member, a substantially cylindrical member telescopically surrounding the coiled tubular member, a cover having a central aperture in axial alignment with the frusto-conical member overlying the coiled tubular member and a plurality of straps securing the cover and the cylindrical member to the coiled tubular member.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel package of coiled can ends of the character immediately above described wherein the cylindrical member includes an inwardly directed peripheral flange underlying the support member, a plurality of legs being circumferentially spaced around said flange and depending there from whereby the package of coiled can ends is entirely supported by the legs thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel method of forming an elongated, coilable package of can ends by encasing a plurality of can ends in face-toface relationship and wrapping the can ends with a strip of flexible material to completely encase and enclose the plurality of can ends.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective view of a can end packaging system constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a plurality of can ends in faceto-face relationship being fed by a conveyor belt from a sealing compound applying machine, a sheet of flexible material being fed from a supply roll between the plurality of can ends and an upper run of the conveyor belt, a plurality of spaced forming means adjacent the conveyor belt run for overlapping longitudinal edges of the flexible sheet of material, a sealing roll for securing the overlapped longitudinal edges together, a support roll at the end of the conveyor belt for supporting the plurality of encased can ends, a coiling mechanism for accurately coiling the plurality of encased can ends in a container resting upon a rotatable turntable and means for synchronizing the various components of the can end packaging system.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1, and illustrates a pair of cooperative forming means guiding the strip of flexible material about the plurality of can ends prior to complete encasement thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective end view of a tubular can end package constructed in accordance with this invention and shows a plurality of can ends in face-to-face relationship encased in a flexible strip of paper stock material which has been wrapped about the plurality of can ends with the longitudinal edges thereof adhesively secured together, and an end portion of the tubular package being closed by a clamp.

FIGURE 4 is a top perspective view of a can end package unloading turntable located at a customers canning plant, and illustrates a pallet resting atop the turntable, a container supported by the pallet and, in phantom lines, a flexible tubular package of can ends partially coiled about and seated upon the container.

FIGURE 5 is a top perspective view of a coiled can end package, and illustrates a flexible, tubular member coiled upon itself and supported by a pallet, a cylindrical member telescopically surrounding the coiled tubular member and a plurality of straps overlying, protecting and reinforcing elements, and securing the coiled tubular member upon the pallet.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 5, and shows a pair of axially aligned central openings in upper and lower support members of the pallet and a slot in each one of a plurality of spacing members between the support members of the pallet for threadably receiving the plurality of straps therethrough.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a package similar to the package of FIGURES 5 and 6, but differing therefrom in that a plurality of straps securing a coiled, tubular, can end encasing member upon a pallet underlies a bottom support member thereof.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary verical sectional View of the package of coiled can ends of FIG- URES 5 through 7, and illustrates a pair of protecting pieces overlying portions of the tubular can end encasing member to protect the same from rupture by the securing straps.

FIGURE 9 is a transverse jump sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIGURE 6, and more clearly illustrates the construction of the coiled can end package.

FIGURE 10 is a top perspective view of a cover for a package of coiled can ends, and shows an outer skirt depending from an end portion of the cover and a coaxial depending inner skirt.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of the cover of FIG- URE l0, and illustrates the cover completely telescoped about a package of coiled can ends.

FIGURE 12 is a top perspective view of a cover for a package of coiled can ends, similar to the cover of FIGURE 10, but lacking an inner coaxial skirt portion.

FIGURE 13 is a top perspective view of another package of coiled can ends, and illustrates a cylindrical member and a centrally apertured cover secured by a plurality of straps and enclosing a coiled, tubular, can end encasing member therein.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1414 of FIGURE 13 and shows the tubular can end encasing member coiled about an upstanding centrally located frusto-conical member.

FIGURE 15 is an exploded top perspective view of a container for coilably receiving a plurality of can ends packaged in accordance with this invention, and shows a substantially cylindrical Itop having an inwardly directed peripheral flange and a plurality of depending legs, the cylindrical top having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of an annular supp01ting member secured to a frusto-conical central portion about which a plurality of encased can ends may be coiled.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical secd tional view of the container of FIGURE 15, and shows the annular support member resting upon the inwardly directed peripheral flange of the cylindrical tub.

An apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention for packaging a plurality of can ends in face-toface relationship is best illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings and is generally designated by the reference numeral 17. The can end packaging apparatus 17 is located near the discharge end of a sealing compound applying machine 13. The sealing compound applying machine 13 guidably discharges finished can ends 20 along an inclined conveyor 21 to a first end of a driven conveyor belt 22. The conveyor belt 22 is entrained over an idler pulley 23 at a discharge end of the conveyor belt 22, and similarly entrained over a driven pulley 24 adjacent the inclined conveyor 21. The pulley 24- is driven by a driven shaft (not shown) of the sychronizing and driving mechanism 25. An upper conveyor belt run 26 of the conveyor belt 22 transports the plurality of can ends 20 in the direction of the arrow 27.

A strip of flexible paper stock material is continuously drawn 011 a freely rotatable supply roll 30 by a feed roll 31. The feed roll 31 is driven in the same direction and at the same speed as the drive pulley 24 of the conveyor belt 22 by the sychronizing and guiding mechanism 25. As is clearly shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the strip of flexible paper stock material 28 is fed by the feed roll 31 between the upper conveyor belt run 26 and the plurality of can ends 20. A plurality of forming means 32 are spaced along the upper conveyor belt run 26 between the drive pulley 24 and the idle pulley 23. Since the plurality of forming means 32 are substantially identical, a description of one of the plurality of forming means 32 is considered suflicient for a complete understanding of this invention.

The forming means 32 shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings includes a pair of identical, opposed forming guide blocks 33. Each of the forming guide blocks 33 of the forming means 32 includes a concave forming surface 34 terminating at an upper end thereof in a shoulder 35. Each of the shoulders 35 of guide blocks 33 confiningly guide an associated longitudinal edge of the flexible strip of paper stock 28.

Each of a first pair of forming guide blocks 36 of the plurality of forming means 32 is provided with an arcuate forming surface 37 and is devoid of a guiding and retaining should-er, such as the shoulder 35 of FIGURE 2. Because the flexible strip of paper stock material 28 is gradually and rogressively wrapped about the plurality of can ends 20, the initial forming guide blocks 36 need not be provided with guiding shoulders.

A last forming guide 38 of the plurality of forming means 32 includes a pair of identical guiding and forming blocks 40 provided with identical opposed concave forming surfaces 41 terminating at an associated guiding shoulder (not shown) identical to the guiding shoulders 35 of FIGURE 2. However, the guiding and forming blocks 40 of the forming guide 33 are in side-to-side abutment and the guiding shoulder of each of the bodies40 extends beyond the axial center of the plurality of can ends 20 whereby the longitudinal edges of the flexible strip of paper stock material are overlapped.

Adjacent the last forming guide 38 of the plurality of forming means 32 and in overlying relationship to the upper conveyor belt run 26 is a freely rotatable sealing roller 42. As shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a longitudinal edge of the flexible strip of paper stock material 28 is provided with a marginal coating of thermoplastic adhesive A. The sealing roll 42 is heated in a manner well known in the prior art and as the longitudinal overlapped edges of the flexible strip of paper stock material are brought into tight overlapping relationship by the last forming guide 38, the heated sealing roll 42 seals the overlapped edges to form a longitudinal seam.

The encased plurality of can ends is transported to a freely rotatable support roll 43 which is mounted adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor belt 22. The diameter of the support roll 43 is at least as large as the minimum diameter that the plurality of can ends 20 encased in the flexible strip of paper stock material 23 can be subsequently coiled into without rupturing the paper stock material or damaging the can ends. That is, the diameter of the support roll 43 is directly dependent upon the minimum diameter into which the encased can ends 20 may be coiled without rupturing the paper stock material 28. As will be more clearly described hereafter, the minimum diameter of the support roll 43 and the minimum diameter that the can ends 26 can be coiled into without breaking the paper stock material 28 depends upon the diameter of the can ends 20.

The plurality of can ends 20 encased by the paper stock material 28 forms a flexible, tubular can end package 44 that extends downwardly from the support roll 43 into a cake pan shaped container 45 seated upon a pallet 46 which in turn is supported by a rotatable turntable 47. The turntable 47 is driven and synchronized by the synchronizing and driving mechanism to insure a proper rotational speed of the turntable 47 relative to the speed at which the flexible tubular can end package 44 is being formed and fed into the container 45.

A coiling mechanism 48 includes a movable coiling arm 50 passing through a slot 51 in a housing 52 of the coiling mechanism 48, the end of the coiling arm 50 in the coiling mechanism 48 is provided with a cam follower (not shown) which is actuated by a cam (also not shown) in the coiling mechanism 48, journalled, driven and synchronized by the synchronizing and driving mechanism 25. A guiding sleeve 53 integral with the coiling arm 50 slidably receives therethrough the flexible tubular can end package 44. Due to the synchronism between the speed of rotation of the turntable 47 and the movement of the coiling arm 50 of the coiling mechanism 48, the flexible tubular can end package 44 is coiled in the container 45 in an orderly fashion.

Upon the completion of the filling of the container 45, the can end packaging apparatus 17 is shut down and the flexible tubular can end package 44 is broken above the container 45. The flexible material at the broken end of the tubular can end package 44 in the container 45 is gathered, as shown in FIGURE 3, and clamped by a resilient piece of wire 54 to form a completely enclosed and encased can end package. A portion of the tubular can end package 44 which is vertically dangling from the support roll 43 is closed in a manner identical to that shown in FIGURE 3.

The pallet 46 and container 45 are then removed by means of a fork lift truck from atop the turntable 47. An empty container is then set in place on the turntable 47 and the machinery is again started to begin the operation of the can end packageappar-atus 17.

A coiled can end package 55 is shown in FIGURES 5, 6, 8, and 9 of the drawings and includes a pallet 56. The pallet 56 includes an upper circular support member 57 having a central opening 58 and a lower identical support member 60 having a central opening 61 axially aligned with the central opening 58 of the upper support member 57. A plurality of identical, parallel, elongated spacers 62 are secured between the support members 57 and 60 and maintain the same in spaced relationship. A pair of access openings 63 open peripherally outwardly of the pallet 56 between two pair of adjacent spacers 62, as is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 9 of the drawings. The distance between adjacent access openings 63 corresponds to the distance between the tines of a fork lift truck in order that the coiled can end package 55 may be readily and easily manipulated. Each of the plurality of spacers 62 is slotted identically at 64 for the passage therethrough of a respective one of a plurality of securing straps 65. A plurality of spacers 66 are secured between the support members 57 and along the outer periphery of the pallet 56. A plurality of inner spacer members 67 are secured between the support members 57 and 66 immediately adjacent the axially aligned central openings 58 and 61. A plurality of notches 68 in the innermost spacers 67 are aligned with a respective notch 64 in an adjacent elongated spacer 62. Each pair of aligned, cooperative notches 64 and 68 thre-adedly receive therethrough one of the plurality of securing straps 65.

A flexible, tubular, can end encasing package is coiled about itself and rests upon the upper support member 57 of the pallet 56. A substantially cylindrical member 71 constructed preferably of corrugated paper board is telescoped about the periphery of the tubular can end package 70. A plurality of elongated wooden reinforcing strips 72 are arranged in spaced relationship about the periphery of the cylindrical member 71. As is best illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings, a pair of protecting pieces 73, constructed from heavy paper overlie upper portions of the coiled, tubular can end package. Each of the pair of protecting members 73 is associated with one of the plurality of wooden reinforcing strips 72 in a manner clearly shown in FIGURE 8. Each of the supporting straps is preferably formed of steel or other similar metal which would rupture the tubular can end encasing package 7 0. However, due to the protector pieces 73 between those portions of the tubular can end encasing package which would contact the securing straps 65, rupturing of the tubular can encasing package is preeluded.

A plurality of axially spaced metallic straps 74 are secured about the periphery of the coiled can end package 55 in overlying relationship to the securing straps 65 and the wooden reinforcing strips 72.

In this manner, should any one of the plurality of securing straps 65 break, the axially spaced securing straps 74 maintain the coiled can end package 55 adequately secured.

Illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings is a coiled can end package identical to the coiled can end package 55. However, a pallet 76 of the coiled can end package is devoid of strap receiving grooves or notches. Rather, a plurality of shallow legs 77 project radially outwardly from the axial center of the pallet 76 and are peripherally arranged and secured to a lower support member 78 of the pallet 76. Thus, the securing straps 65 may be passed between the lower support member 78 and a surface upon which the coiled can end package 75 is resting in order that the tubular can end encasing package 70 may be easily and eificiently secured to the pallet 76.

A coiled can end package cover 80 is illustrated in FIGURE 10 of the drawings and includes an end portion 81 and an integral and depending peripheral outer skirt 82. A depending inner skirt 83 is coaxially arranged with respect to the outer skirt 82 of the cover 80. The diameter of the outer skirt 82 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of a coiled can end package, such as the coiled can end package illustrated in phantom outline in FIGURE 11, whereby the cover 80 may be easily telescoped thereover. Similarly, the coaxial inner skirt 83 of the cover 89 has a diameter slightly smaller than the minimum coiled diameter of the coiled can end package to facilitate the insertion of the inner skirt 83 between the coils of minimum diameter.

The cover 80 is preferably constructed from metal, and is slightly shallower than the total height of a coiled can end package with which it is associated. In this manner, a lower peripheral edge 84 terminates above the pallet of the coiled can end package and permits the tines of a fork lift truck to be inserted into access openings in the pallet.

A metallic coiled can end package cover 85 illustrated in FIGURE 12 of the drawings includes a centrally apertured end portion 86 and an integral depending peripheral skirt 37. The aperture 88 in the cover 85 is formed therein for a purpose to be more fully explained hereafter. The cover 85 functions in a manner identical to that performed by the cover 80 of FIGURES 10 and 11.

It has been previously mentioned that the diameters of the can ends of FIGURE 1 directly influence the diameter of the support roll 43, as Well as the minimum diameter into which the tubular flexible can end package 44 may be coiled. The diameters of the axially aligned central openings 58 and 61 in the pallet 56, the diameter of the inner skirt 83 of the cover 80 and the diameter of the aperture 88 in the cover 85 are also dependent upon the diameter of the encased can ends.

Based on the fact that the flexible crepe paper stock material now used to encase a plurality of can ends in accordance with this invention will stretch about Table I, immediately below, shows that a minimum coiled diameter is approximately eight times greater than the diameter of the can ends being encased by the flexible paper stock material. For example, a size 211 can end has a three inch diameter and can be coiled to a minimum coil diameter of twenty-four inches. An attempt to reduce the minimum coil diameter below twenty-four inches when the flexible crepe paper stock material will only stretch to a maximum of about 25% would result in the rupture of a tubular can end package encasing the size 211 can ends.

Similarly, if the plurality of can ends 20 of FIGURE 1 were size 211 can ends, the diameter of the support roll 43 must be twenty-four inches or greater, otherwise the tubular can end package 44 would rupture as it bends about the periphery of the support roll 43.

Assuming that the coiled can end package of FIG- URE 6 is constructed for packaging size 211 can ends, the preferred diameters of the axial aligned central openings 58 and 6 1 in the pallet 56 should be twenty-four inches or greater. Furthermore, if it is again assumed that the cover of FIGURE 10 is to be telescoped about the coiled can end package 55 of FIGURE 6, the inner coaxial skirt 83 of the cover 80 must be somewhat less than the minimum coil diameter in order to be easily received by the coiled can end package 55.

TABLE I Minimum coil diameters for various diameter can ends Can End Diameter Minimum Coil Diameter Can End Size amou -loom cowoowcnoo In FIGURES l3 and 14 is illustrated a coiled can end package having a circular support member 91 provided with a central frusto-conical member 92. The frusto-conical member 92 includes an upper portion 93 extending above the support member 91 and a lower portion 94 depending below the support member 91. The interior of the frusto-conical member 92 is provided with a plurality of peripherally arranged stops 95 which determine the position of a plurality of the coiled can end packages 90 when emptied and internested. A circular L-shaped bar 96 is secured at the upper portion 93 of the frusto-conical member 92 and is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced eye-bolts 97. The support member 91 and the frusto-eonical member 92 form a container adapted to be seated directly upon the rotatable turntable 47 of the can end packaging apparatus 17 of FIGURE 1.

A tubular, flexible can end encasing package 98 is coiled about the frusto-conical member 92 in a manner similar to the coiling of the tubular can encasing package 44 into the container 45 of FIGURE 1. It should be &

noted that the uppermost end portion of the frusto-conical member 92 must have a diameter corresponding to the minimum diameter into which the can end package 98 may be coiled. That is, if size 211 can ends are encased in the can end package 9%, the minimum diameter of the frusto-conical member at an uppermost portion thereof must be not less than twenty-four inches.

After the can end package 9% is coiled about the frustoconical member 92, the same is removed from the rotatable turntable 47 by a lift truck, the tines of which can underlie the support member 91 on opposite sides of the frusto-conical member 92, as shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 14.

A substantially cylindrical member 100 constructed of corrugated paper board is telescoped about the coiled can end package 90. A cover 101 having a central aperture 102 is positioned atop the encased can end package 93. It is to be noted that the diameter of the aperture 102 in the cover 101 corresponds to the minimum diameter of the frusto-conical member 92 and the minimum diameter of the coiled, encased can ends 98. By thus dimensioning the aperture 102 in the cover 101, the eye-bolts 97 extend upwardly beyond the cover 101 and the encased can ends 98 are completely covered. Thus, the diameter of the aperture 102 in the cover 101 again depends directly upon the size of the can ends encased by the coiled tubular encasing member 98.

A plurality of wooden reinforcing strips 103 are arranged about the periphery of the cylindrical member 100. A plurality of axially spaced peripheral straps 104, preferably constructed of metal, secure the vertical reinforcing strips 103 to the cylindrical member 100. Four metallic securing straps 105' each extend across the cover 101 and have opposite ends thereof secured to an uppermost one of the peripheral straps 10-1. The coiled can end package 90 is now ready for shipment and may be moved from the area at which it was packaged by means of a lift truck in the manner previously discussed or, the coiled can end package 90 may be lifted by an overhead hoist by means of the plurality of peripherally arranged eye-bolts 97.

Illustrated in FIGURES 15 and 16 of .the drawings is a container 106 adapted to receive therein a plurality of encased, coiled can ends. The container 106 includes a substantially circular support member 91 provided with a central frusto-conical member 92 having an upper portion 93 extending above the support member 91 and a lower portion 94 depending below the support member 91. A circular L-shaped spacing member 95, performing the function of the spacing members 95 of FIGURE 14, is secured internally of the frusto-conical member 92. A circular L-shaped member 96 is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced eye-bolts 97 and secured to an uppermost edge portion of the frusto-conical member 92.

The frusto-conical member 92 and the support member 91 thereof is telescopically received in a substantially cylindrical tub member 107 having an inwardly directed peripheral flange 108 at a lowermost end portion thereof. A plurality of support legs 110 are secured to a lowermost surface of the inwardly directed flange 108 of the cylindrical tu-b 107. The length of each of the support legs 110 is slightly longer than the length of the lowermost portion 94 of the frusto-conical member 92 depending below the support member 91. As is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 16 of the drawings, the plurality of legs 110 support the frusto-conical member in spaced relation to a support surface. In this manner, the plurality of support legs 110 provide ample height for the tines of a fork truck (shown in phantom lines) to be inserted beneath the inwardly directed flange 103 on opposite sides of the frusto-conical member 92.

A cover (not shown), similar to the cover 101 of FIG- URE 13 is secured atop the container 106 after a plurality of encased can ends have been coiled into the tub 107.

Each of the coiled can end packages heretofore described are shipped to a product canning plant, at which s,2ee,215

time the coiled can end package is placed upon a turntable, such as the turntable of FIGURE 4. The turntable of FIGURE 4 is adjacent an end seaming machine (not shown) which is to be fed a plurality of can ends from the coiled package. The feeding of the encased can ends to an end seaming machine forms no part of this invention, and it is only necessary to point out that the encased can ends are uncoiled from the coiled can end package and fed by suitable means .to an end seaming machine.

While a plurality of can end packages and an apparatus for forming the same have been disclosed herein, it is to be understood that various modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are intended to be included in this invention. For example, it is within the scope of this invention to form the can end package by coiling the flexible, tubular can end encasing member about a spoolshaped member, similar to the conventional spools about which thread or electrical conduits are wound.

It is also to be understood that while example disclosures of can end packages and an apparatus for forming the same are shown herein, changes in the can end package or the can end packaging apparatus and the components thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A can end packaging apparatus comprising means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked aligned face-to-face engaged relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means, conveyor means for transporting the plurality of stacked can ends aligned in face-to-face engagement along a path of predetermined length from a can end finishing machine toward a can end coil receiving means, means for feeding a strip of material having an adhesive on a longitudinal edge thereof from a supply roll in overlying relationship to the conveyor means, forming means adjacent the predetermined path for overlapping longitudinal edges of the strip of material and progressively encasing the strip of material about a plurality of can ends being transported by the conveyor means, sealing means positioned beyond the forming means for sealing the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of material, means positioned between the said end of the predetermined path and the coil receiving means for guiding the encased can ends away from the predetermined path and preventing the rupture of the strip of material encasing the can ends during the aforementioned guiding, and coiling means associated with the coil receiving means, said coiling means being operative to coil the completely encased plurality of can ends onto the coil receiving means.

2. A can end packaging apparatus comprising means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked aligned face-to-face engaged relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means, conveyor means for transporting the plurality of stacked can ends aligned in face-to-face engagement along a path of a predetermined length from a can end finishing machine toward a can end coil receiving means, means for feeding a strip of material having an adhesive on a longitudinal edge thereof from a supply roll in overlying relationship to the conveyor means, a plurality of forming means adjacent the predetermined path for overlapping longitudinal edges of the strip of material and progressively encasing the strip of material about a plurality of can ends being transported by the conveyor means, a sealing roll positioned beyond a last of the plurality of forming means for sealing the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of material, coiling means at an end of the predetermined path opposite the can end finishing machine whereby the completely encased plurality of can ends are adapted to be coiled onto a coil receiving means, a rotatable support at the said end of the predetermined path adapted to support the coil receiving means and means synchronizing the conveyor means, the coiling means and the rotatable support thereby causing the plurality of can ends encased by the strip of material to be coiled onto the coil receiving means during the rotation thereof.

3. A can end packaging apparatus comprising means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked aligned face-to-face engaged relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means, conveyor means for transporting the plurality of stacked can ends aligned in face-to-face engagement along a path of predetermined length from a can end finishing machine toward a can end coil receiving container, means for feeding a strip of material having an adhesive on a longitudinal edge thereof from a supply roll in overlying relationship to the conveyor means, a plurality of forming means adjacent the predetermined path for overlapping longitudinal edges of the strip of material and progressively encasing the strip of material about a plurality of can ends being transported by the conveyor means, a last of said plurality of forming means having guiding portions for accurately overlapping the longitudinal edges of the strip of material, a sealing roll positioned beyond the last of the plurality of forming means for sealing the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of material, and coiling means at an end of the predetermined path opposite the can end finishing machine whereby the completely encased plurality of can ends is coiled in a coil receiving container.

4. A can end packaging apparatus comprising means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked aligned face-to-face abutting relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means, a conveyor belt including a conveyor belt run means for transporting the plurality of stacked abutting can ends along a predetermined path from a sealing compound applying machine at a first end of said path toward a receiving container at a second end of said path, a roll at the first end of said path for feeding a strip of crepe paper having an ad hesive on a longitudinal edge thereof in overlying abutment with said conveyor belt run means, a plurality of forming means adjacent the predetermined path and spaced therealong for overlapping the longitudinal edges of crepe paper fed by said feed roll thereby encasing the plurality of can ends transported by the conveyor belt run means, a sealing roll overlying the conveyor belt run means between a last of the plurality of forming means and the second end of the path whereby the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper are rollsealed, and a coiling mechanism adjacent the second end of the path whereby the completely encased plurality of can ends are adapted to be coiled in a coil receiving container.

5. The can end packaging apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein a coil support roll is positioned between the second end of the path and the coiling mechanism for guiding the encased can ends away from the predetermined path and the radius of said coil support roll being of a length to define a gradual circumferential surface on the coil support roll whereby the rupture of the crepe paper encasing the plurality of can ends is precluded when the encased can ends are guided away from the predetermined path by the coil support roll.

6. A can end packaging apparatus comprising means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked aligned face-to-face abutting relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means a conveyor belt including a conveyor belt run means for transporting the plurality of stacked abutting can ends along a predetermined path from a sealing compound applying machine at a first end of said path toward a receiving container at a second end of said path, a roll at the first end of said path for feeding a strip of crepe paper having an adhesive on a longitudinal edge thereof in overlying abutment with said conveyor belt run means, a plurality of forming means adjacent the predetermined path and spaced therealong for overlapping the longitudinal edges of crepe paper fed by said feed roll thereby encasing the plurality of can ends transported by the conveyor belt run means, said forming means being arranged in pairs, each of said pair of forming means being positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path, each of the pair of forming means of the plurality of forming means including guiding portions for accurately overlapping the longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper, a sealing roll overlying the conveyor belt run means between a last of the plurality of forming means and the second end of the path whereby the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper are roll-sealed, and a coiling mechanism adjacent the second end of the path whereby the completely encased plurality of can ends are adapted to be coiled in a coil receiving container.

7. A can end packaging apparatus comprising means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked aligned face-to-face abutting relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means a conveyor belt including a conveyor belt run means for transporting the plurality of stacked abutting can ends along a predetermined path from a sealing compound applying machine at a first end of said path toward a receiving container at a second end of said path, a roll at the first end of said path for feeding a strip of crepe paper having an adhesive on a longitudinal edge thereof in overlying abutment with said conveyor belt run means, a plurality of forming means adjacent the predetermined path and spaced therealong for overlapping the longitudinal edges of crepe paper fed by said feed roll thereby encasing the plurality of can ends transported by the conveyor belt run means, said forming means being arranged in pairs, each of said pairs of forming means having forming guides positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path for accurately guiding the longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper, the forming guides of a last of the forming means being adapted to accurately overlap the longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper, a sealing roll overlying the conveyor belt run means between the last of the plurality of forming means and the second end of the path whereby the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper are roll-sealed, a turntable rotatably supported adjacent the second end of said path, a coil receiving container supported on said turntable, said container having portions thereof dimensioned proportional to the diameters of the plurality of encased can ends, and a coiling mechanism between the second end of the path and the turntable whereby the completely encased plurality of can ends are adapted to be coiled in the coil receiving container.

8. The can end packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the coiling mechanism includes an apertured movable guiding arm adapted to receive the encased plurality of can ends through the aperture thereof whereby guidable coiling of the encased can ends in the coil receiving container is provided.

9. A can end packaging apparatus comprising means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked face-to-face relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means, conveyor means for transporting the plurality of stacked can ends along a path of predetermined length toward a can end coil receiving means, means for feeding a strip of material in overlying relationship to the conveyor means, forming means adjacent the predetermined path for overlapping longitudinal edges of the strip of material and progressively encasing the strip of material about a plurality of can ends being transported by the conveyor means, sealing means positioned beyond the forming means for sealing the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of material, and coiling means at the end of the predetermined path operative to coil the completely encased plurality of can ends onto the coil receiving means.

10. A can end handling apparatus comprising means for pre-treating can ends which includes means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked face-to-face relation for feeding to transporting conveyor means, conveyor means for transporting the plurality of stacked can ends along a path of predetermined length toward a can end coil receiving means, means for feeding a strip of material in overlying relationship to the conveyor means, forming means adjacent the predetermined path for overlapping longitudinal edges of the strip of material and progressively encasing the strip of material about a plurality of can ends being transported by the conveyor means, sealing means positioned beyond the forming means for sealing the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of material, and coiling means at the end of the predetermined path operative to coil the completely encased plurality of can ends onto the coil receiving means.

11. A can end handling apparatus comprising first means for applying sealing compound to can ends, said first means including second means for mechanically assembling a plurality of individual can ends in stacked face-to-face relation for feeding to a transporting conveyor means, conveyor means for transporting the plurality of stacked can ends along a path of predetermined length toward a can end coil receiving means, mean for feeding a strip of material in overlying relationship to the conveyor means, forming means adjacent the predetermined path for overlapping longitudinal edges of the strip of material and progressively encasing the strip of material about a plurality of can ends being transported by the conveyor means, sealing means positioned beyond the forming means for sealing the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of material, and coiling means at the end of the predetermined path operative to coil the completely encased plurality of can ends onto the coil receiving means.

12. A can end packaging apparatus comprising a conveyor belt including a conveyor belt run means for transporting a plurality of stacked abutting can ends along a predetermined path from a sealing compound applying machine at a first end of said path toward a receiving container at a second end of said path, a roll at the first end of said path for feeding a strip of crepe paper having an adhesive on a longitudinal edge thereof in overlying abutment with said conveyor belt run means, a plurality of forming means adjacent the predetermined path and spaced therealong for overlapping the longitudinal edges of crepe paper fed by said feed roll, thereby encasing the plurality of can ends transported by the conveyor belt run means, said forming means being arranged in pairs, each of said pairs of forming means having forming guides positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path for accurately guiding the longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper, the forming guides of a last of the forming means being adapted to accurately overlap the longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper, a sealing roll overlying the conveyor belt run means between the last of the plurality of forming means and the second end of the path whereby the overlapped longitudinal edges of the strip of crepe paper are roll-sealed, a turntable rotatably supported adjacent the second end of said path, a coil receiving container supported on said turntable, said container having portions thereof dimensioned proportional to the diameters of the plurality of encased can ends, and a coiling mechanism between the second end of the path and the turntable whereby the completely encased plurality of can ends are adapted to be coiled in the coil receiving container; wherein the coiling mecha nism includes an apertured movably driven guiding arm mounted in unattached relation to the coil receiving contain-er and adapted to receive the encased plurality of can ends through the aperture thereof whereby guidable coiling of the encased can ends in the coil receiving container is provided, and wherein means are provided for synchronizing the relative movements of the feed roll, the

conveyor belt, the movable guiding arm, and the rotatable turntable.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Kornbluh 53-118 Wyman 206-65 Campbell.

Lenz 206-46 De Millar 242-83 X Nadeau et a1 53- Gilrnan 53- 6 X Ekstrand 93-1 10 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDON, Examiner.

W. T. DIXSON, S. ABEND, Assistant Examiners. 

